They returned to the inn together, after Sophia had taken Joy clothes shopping. The next morning, Sophia and Connor presented themselves at the palace. The nobles here weren’t quite as overtly curious as those in Weriban, but Sophia did find her appointment chart filling up quite quickly, and had to make sure she had some …
Joy looked to Sophia for support, she got an encouraging nod. She sighed and turned to face the mage. “My name’s Joy and I come from a small village in the Leaf forests. Ma lived on the edge of the village, even a little removed, as she was the old healer’s apprentice and inherited when …
The merchant party turned to look as Connor and Sophia approached. The guards quickly resumed unloading the wagon, their decision prompting the others to do the same. “I’m not sure whether to be relieved or slightly offended.” Sophia’s lips twitched at Connor’s comment, but kept a curious and concerned expression evident as they came within …
Lunch done, Acron moved into an open space, looked at the horses, then concentrated hard. Moments later, a sweet-faced, barrel-bodied pony stood where the dragon had been. Joy squealed in delight and rushed to pat him, praising him for his talent and good looks. Connor smiled at Sophia ruefully, "We have a mount for her, …
The following morning followed their plan perfectly. Sophia and Connor ambled down the stairs well after sunrise, yawning and complaining of the interrupted night. The landlord was profuse in his apologies and even moreso as he was called on to serve their breakfast himself. The kitchen hand had needed to leave early in order to …
The girl, once she’d scrambled around the shutter and into the room, proved to be a big-eyed, scrawny waif not too many years younger than Sophia. She huddled into the corner near the window, sending anxious glances toward it until Sophia closed and re-latched the shutter, wondering at her visitor’s wish for the only exit …
The following two weeks were busy. Sophia met and measured (in more ways than one) the unattached ladies of the Weriban court. Her list of interested or suitable candidates shrank considerably. Indeed, the only young lady she felt had the grace, intelligence and humour to be a good partner to the Overlord was desperately pining …
The party leaving Sophia's family home a couple of days later was larger than expected, at least by Connor. Sophia's parents came to a swift decision after a letter arrived from Prince Stephen, requesting their kind attendance at a conference to discuss the education of the future queen of Lillia. Sophia thought he needed to …
They left the city, heading north to Sophia's childhood home. The journey could be completed in a day, but they'd left late and both had no wish to discover the effects of Sophia's dress on her mother and father. So, after a night at a quiet wayside inn, Sophia caused a mild sensation in the …
The conversation was interrupted by the reappearance of Violetta, alone this time. "Oh I'm so glad you're still here, I wanted to talk to you without Stephen." Sophia and Connor eyed her with foreboding. "You see, I really want one of those dresses you're making for the other girls. It will be so much fun …
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